The parents of El Paso elementary schoolers are still trying to figure out why their kids got a strange take-home assignment that involved reading several bleak passages in which a child possibly gets abused, a wife discovers her husband is cheating, and a mother learns of her son's death at war.

NBC announced its "year-round" lineup today, and introduced new categorized programming blocks. Specifically, the 8-9pm "family hour," the 9pm "blockbuster hour," and the 10pm "adult themes" hour. Ooh adult themes! What scintillating, mature shows can we except to enjoy once those Biggest Loser-loving kids have tottered off to bed? Exciting, edgy shows like Law & Order and... uh, ER... and... oof... Lipstick Jungle. HBO this is not. Newer "adult" shows like The Philanthropist, with its Barry Levinson/Tom Fontana pedigree, could be interesting, but most of the programming looks mighty safe. Most notable about the announcment, perhaps, is the return of Friday Night Lights, which you self-righteous quality television-huggers ought to be happy about (as well as you self-satisfied TV critics). Also, did you know that Deal or No Deal and Medium are "blockbusters"? [THR] Full programming schedule after the jump.